by Sherelyn Mayberry
Synopsis: Sherelyn draws lessons from the hymn, "Nearer, Still Nearer," written by Lelia N. Morris in 1898. When her eyesight began to fail, her son constructed a 28 ft. long blackboard with oversized staff lines so she could continue to compose.
In the song "Nearer, Still Nearer" (PHSS #325), we learn of our purpose for life. Drawing closer to God gives us goals for daily living and life in eternity. We yearn for security and hope which is provided by our Lord and Savior. How do we grow closer to God? By being drawn and taught by God, we can learn of Him and be raised on the last day (John 6:44-45).
Jesus provides strength as He envelops us in His love. Evidencing our faith in God, we believe that He sent His Son to save us, and we thus seek Him (Heb. 11:6). The comfort that Jesus provides draws us closer to God. Refuge in the shelter of His wings brings joy and favor (Ps. 5:11-12; 61:4). Jesus lamented over Jerusalem because they killed the prophets and stoned those who offered them hope. He "wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings" but they refused to draw near to Him (Matt. 23:37; Luke 13:34). Will we reject Jesus, like Jerusalem, or by hiding under His shelter in the day of trouble, will we behold the beauty of the Lord and meditate on His word (Ps. 27:4-5)?
Realizing that we have sinned, we understand that there is a barrier between us and God (Isa. 59:2). As we repent with a contrite heart, we can "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16). As we renounce our shameful deeds, we do not lose heart (2 Cor. 4:1-2). By God's mercy, our bodies can be a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God (Rom. 12:1). Those who draw near to God through Christ's shed blood have the hope of eternal salvation because Christ intercedes for them (Heb. 7:25). We are saved, not based on our deeds of righteousness, but by divine grace and mercy poured out by the washing of Christ's blood (Titus 3:5).
Being dead in our trespasses, we formerly lived in the lusts of the flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and the mind. God, in His mercy and love, made us alive to Jesus by grace. Through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, we are raised from death in sin to life in Christ, not by works of merit, but through faith and works in Christ (Eph. 2:4-10). We can draw near to God having our hearts sprinkled clean, holding fast the confession of our hope of salvation (Heb. 10:22-23). Humbly cleansing our hands of unrighteousness, we draw nearer to God, and He will draw near to us (Jas. 4:8).
This hope of eternity with God and Jesus is an anchor of our soul. It is both sure and steadfast (Heb. 6:19-20). Knowing that the Lord's lovingkindness never ceases, we hope in God's great faithfulness. He is good to those who seek Him (Lam. 3:22-25). As Stephen faced martyrdom, "He gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55-56). Being anchored to the Lord, as Stephen died, he asked the Lord to receive his spirit. Have I believed in the Son leading to eternal life with Him, or am I disobedient, thus incurring God's wrath for eternity (John 3:36)?
We, also, must be anchored to the Lord's instructions so that we will not forget His law and will keep His commandments (Ps. 119:60-61). Jesus has the words of eternal life, so we may come to know God and draw ever nearer (John 6:68-69). Being anchored to Jesus and freed from sin through repentance, we experience sanctification, and the outcome is everlasting life (Rom. 6:22). While the unrepentant and stubborn will face God's wrath, the righteous will receive glory, honor, and immortality (Rom. 2:5-8). Therefore, let us build our faith and pray, keeping ourselves in the love of God, so that we can stand in His presence, near to Him, blameless and with great joy for ages to come (Jude 20-21, 24-25).
Author Bio: Sherelyn is the wife of Mark Mayberry who labors with the Adoue Street congregation in Alvin, TX as an evangelist and elder. She can be reached at sherelynmayberry@live.com.
